Takumi Minamino is fighting for his Liverpool future, according to a report.
Goal have reported that there are concerns over how Minamino ‘drifts in and out of games’, whilst those inside Liverpool are also raising question marks over his durability and physicality.
Minamino, who signed for Liverpool in December 2019, was on loan at Southampton for the second half of the 2020/21 Premier League campaign.
And whilst life started off in a bright fashion at St Mary’s for the versatile forward, he quickly found himself on the bench and fighting for his place.
It is said that Anfield sources labelled him a ‘perfect signing’ when he first joined the club, but he’s now fighting for his place.
Whilst someone like Diogo Jota has ripped it up, in between visiting the treatment room, during his time on Merseyside.
Minamino hasn’t been able to have the same impact, scoring four goals and supplying two assists in 31 appearances (transfermarkt).
But Goal report that the Japan international won’t be loaned out again this summer, but improvements need to be made on his performances and ‘quickly’.
Pre-season is going to be massive for Minamino because if he doesn’t stand out then he will be on the back foot before a ball is kicked.
And even if he does have a strong pre-season, he will more than likely have to convince those at the club with his performances from the bench rather than from the starting XI because he’s not getting ahead of the usual front three any time soon.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
